Premises Licence - Age Verification Policy
Under the Licensing Act 2003, it is a mandatory requirement for all licensed premises in England and Wales to adopt an age verification policy in relation to the sale or supply of alcohol.
In accordance with the Home Office Licensing Guidance, this policy must as a minimum require individuals who appear to the responsible person to be under the age of 18 to produce on request, before being served alcohol, identification bearing their photograph, date of birth, and either a holographic mark or ultraviolet feature.
The premises licence holder must also ensure that staff, especially those involved in the sale of alcohol, are made aware of the existence and content of the applicable age verification policy.
This Authority endorses the use of a Challenge 21 (or Challenge 25) Proof of Age Policy. Challenge 21 is a policy whereby anyone buying alcohol who appears to be below the age of 21, three years above the age required to buy alcohol in the UK, can be asked to provide an acceptable form of ID.
Our guidance leaflet, regarding Challenge 21, can be found at the bottom of this webpage. There are also examples of posters, regarding the Age Verification Policy, at the bottom of this webpage.
Further information, and an example age of an age verification policy, can be found on the GOV.UK website here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-mandatory-licensing-conditions